Derrick



March 23, 1937. D. E. HUMPHREY DERRICK 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 5, 1934 .6 m MP an if 7 M f p .in! W M a m m U L m a March 23, 1937. D. E. HUMPHREY DERRICK 5, 1934 5 Shee'ts-Sheet 2 Filed Nov.

Dce .6. Hump/wry March 23, 1937.

D. E. HUMPHREY 2,074,548

DERRICK Filed NOV. 5, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Mar. 23, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DERRICK Dee E. Humphrey, Dallas, Tex., assignor to Welded Tank and Steel Company, Dallas, Tex.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in derricks.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved derrick structure for oil, gas or artesian wells.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved derrick structure which is so arranged as to reinforce the legs of the derrick at a point between the girts which space and connect the legs, whereby a more substantial structure having greater rigidity and increased carrying capacity is had.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved derrick structure which comprises the 5 usual supporting legs which are braced by a plurality of bracing members connected thereto, said members being of a uniform size and shape, whereby the necessity of marking the pieces is eliminated and the complexity of assembling the structure is decreased, since the bracing members are interchangeable and convertible throughout.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved derrick structure, wherein the supporting legs and girts connecting the same, together with the bracing members, form an open structural gusset, whereby the derrick is greatly strengthened throughout its entire length.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a derrick structure which is designed so as 30 to be readily assembled with a minimum of danger to the workmen.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved derrick which is constructed of a minimum number of parts, whereby the weight 35 of the derrick is reduced, without sacrificing the rigidity or strength of said derrick.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved derrick structure comprising a plurality of supporting legs connected and braced 40 by cross members and having upright divergent braces extending upwardly from one cross member, across the next above cross member, and having its upper end secured to the legs, and also being fastened to the upper cross member, where- 45 by a most substantial reinforcing structure is had.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved derrick structure having a plurality of supporting legs connected and braced by cross 50 members and having web plates secured to the cross members for fastening inclined reinforcing members between the legs and cross members, whereby erection of the derrick is simplified.

A still further object of the invention is to pro- 55 vide an improved derrick structure including a plurality of angular bracing members which have reinforcing plates secured to their ends, whereby said ends are strengthened and are capable of carrying increased loads without increasing the weight of said members.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an example of theinvention is shown, and

wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a derrick, constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is anenlarged detail, showing portion of the derrick structure,

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail of the crows nest mounting,

Figure 4 is an enlarged horizontal cross sectional view, taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an isometric view of one of the reinforcing bars, and

Figure 6 is a horizontal cross-sectionalview, taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 2.

In the drawings, the numeral Ill designates a base or support for a derrick which may be of any suitable structure. I have shown the base as comprising four angular corner members or legs II which have their lower ends secured to suitable supporting base plates l2 which may be fastened on concrete or other piers to support the derrick structure. The members are connected to each other at their mid-portions by girts l3 and the entire base is strengthened and reinforced by suitable angular brace members M which are positioned advantageously around the base. The base is not to be limited to the particular structure shown, as any desired base may be employed to support my improved structure.

I In carrying out my improved structure, the derrick comprises a plurality of sections or stages A, B, C, D and E. Although I have shown five sections, the invention is not to be limited to any particular number, as this depends entirely on the height of the derrick. Each section is constructed so as to taper inwardly toward its upper end and by observing Figure 1, it is obvious that when the sections are superimposed and secured together they form the derrick. Since all the sections are substantially alike, a description of one will sufiice.

As clearly shown in Figure 2, each section comprises four angular legs [5 which are positioned to form the corners of the derrick. These leg members are preferably of structural steel, or other suitable metal, and may be of any suitable length, the usual length being about fourteen feet. The members are connected at their mid- 5 portion by a square girt l6 formed of horizontally extending angle bars I! which extend from one leg to the next leg and are secured thereto by bolts l8, or other suitable means. At the corners, two of the bars have a portion of their aprons cut off, 10 so that the opposite two bars may be overlapped by the web or top flange of the bars, whereby an overlapping intersection of the bars is provided- (Figures 2 and 4). The bars I! are secured together by bolts l9. The overlapping of the bars" 5 is an important feature in formingthe girt I6 for it provides a positive reinforcing and strengthening of the legs, and prevents the legs bowing outwardly under strain, as wellas providing a connection between said legs.

A Web plate 20 is secured to each angle bar I! at its centralportion by bolts 20',-and-is-positioned sd' as to extend above and below said bar. To brace and strengthen the lower portion of each leg l5; a pair of angular brace bars 21 have their upper ends fastened to the lower end of each plate-20' and depend at an inclination therefrom. It is obvious that the plate provides a positive connecting means for the bars. The lower ends of said bars are bolted or otherwise seen-red, to the legs. The particular inclination" of the bars 21' isoptional as'they'may be secured at any point on the leg members I 5 intermediate the lower end of said members and the girt I 6, but it is preferable to secure them near the lower ends of the members. For example, if the distance between the lower ends of the members and the girt is seven feet, it is preferable to fasten the bars 2| about two feet from the lower ends of the member, but it/is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to any particular dimension, as'a ve'rystro'ng structure may be obtainedby securing the bars at any point intermediate the girt l6 and lower end'of the leg members l5. 7 I s It is advantageous to reinforce the ends of the brace-bars 2| at the point where they are fastened to the plate and leg members. The usual practice in reinforcing angle bars at their ends has been to crimp the ends of the flanges so that said 00 flanges form adouble-thickness flattened end. I prefer, however, to cut ofi the end portion of one of the legs of the bar, whereby one leg extends beyond the other leg, as shown in Figure 5; and weld, or otherwise secure, a flat reinforcing plate 22 to, the remaining flange 2| which extends beyond the cut-off flange. This provides a double thickness of metal at the end of the bar 2 and it'is this reinforced portion, through which the bolt, or rivet, passes to secure the bars to the G0 leg members lfa'and plates 20. With this arrangement, the ends of the bars are capable of withstanding additional strain, without any substantial increase in weight. g

Fronrthe foregoing, it is obvious that each section, or stage is strengthened and braced at its mid-portion by the girt l6 and the lower end of the section reinforced by the inclined bars 2|. In assembling the sections, the lower end of the section B is placed on the upper end of the section A and an angular connecting bar 23 (Figure 6) is disposed along the inner side of each of the angular legs I5 of the two sections. Connecting straps 24' are positioned on the outer sides of the leg members and bolts 25 p'ass through the strap, legs, and inner connecting bars, and receive nuts 25 to hold the sections rigidly together. At the upper portion of each section, angular horizontally disposed bars 26 connect each leg with the next leg and these bars may be secured to each leg by the bolts 25. It is pointed out that four bars 26 are provided and these bars, being in the same horizontal plane, extend entirely around the leg members to form a. girt 21.

For reinforcing the upper end of each section as well as to strengthen the connection between each two sections, a pair of elongated angular brace bars 28 are provided. Two of these bars are provided for each side of the derrick, thereby making eight bars necessary for each section. The lower ends of each pair of bars 28 are secured to the upper end of the plate 20 of one section and extend upwardly at an inclination. The upper end of the bars are secured to the legs l5 of the next section above by bolts 29, or other means. It is pointed out that the upper end of each elongated brace bar 28 is secured to the legs l5 at a point just below where the lower end of each bar 2| is fastened to said member.

Eachelongated angular bar 28 passes adjacent to the angular bar 26 at the upper end of the section and is secured thereto by a bolt 30. The endsof the bars 28 are provided with reinforcing plates 3i similar to the plates 22 on the brace bars 2|. To further brace the upper portion of the leg members, a short angular member 32 is inclined between each elongated bar 28 and the adjacent leg l5, connecting the same. Since each elongated bar 28 is secured to the girt 21 as well as to the leg i5, the portion of the bar 28 between the bolts 29 and 30, together with the portion of I the girt 21 between the bolt 30' and the bolt 25 and the portion of the leg member between the bolt 29 and bolt 25, form an open structural gusset which greatly strengthens the derrick at this point which isthe point of connection be tween each two sections. The elongated bars 28 and 2| form a kite-shape design between the leg members, and not only enhance the appearance but provide a most substantial structure with a minimum number of parts.

The bars 2! and the girt l6 serve to strengthen the midportion of the legs of each section, while the elongated bars 28 strengthen the lower portion of one section as well as the upper portion of the section therebelow. It is the particular position of the bars 28 which permits them to con' nect the central girt of one section with the leg members of the above section, said member being secured to the top girt of the lower section as it passes adjacent thereto. This is an important feature of the structure.

It is pointed out that all the bars 2| and 28 of each section are exactly alike and are, therefore, interchangeable and convertible to any side of that section. This eliminates the necessity of marking each brace and speeds up the assembly, as well as making it simpler and easier for the workmen.

A crows nest 33 of any suitable structure is mounted on the top section E of the derrick; it has always been dangerous to the workmen in erecting the crows nest, because the support on which the workmen stand has been too low with relation to the upper edge of the top section E, thereby causing the workman to reach over his head. This support usually comprises a plurality of boards which are stretched across and sup ported on the girt l6 of the top section E, which is usually some seven feet from the upper end of the legs l5 to which the crows nest is secured.

r or not one of the bars fits a By disposing the short angular members 32 of this section horizontallyinsteadof'at an inclination, it is possible to lay boards across these members, whereby the workman is raised from two to three feet and can more easily handle the members to assemble the crows nest.

Although any suitable structure may be employed in mounting the crows nest, 'I'prefer to employ angular supports 34 a pair of which are secured to the upper end of each leg member l5. The supports havea pair of I beams 35 secured thereto and these I beams extend parallel along two sides of the derrick, as "shown in Figure 3. A pair of channel bars 36 extend parallel along the other two sidesof the structure, and are secured to the supports 34. Vertically extending angular braces 31 are provided at each corner of the structure and connect the I beams and channel bars. A pair of horizontally extending angle bars 38 connect the two I beams and inclined brace bars 39 fasten the angle bars 38 to the back of the channel bars. The crows nest 33, which is usually built square, is then secured to the I beams and channel bars in any suitable manner, as by riveting, or otherwise.

The structure is simple in erection, and the weight greatly reduced due to the minimum number of parts, and with the particular disposition of the angular bars 2|, 28 and the members 32 andtheir points of connection to the angular legs E5, the legs of said derrick are positively braced intermediate the girts l6 and 21. This is an important feature of the invention, for it is obvious that by bracing between the girts, the structure is greatly strengthened because of additional reinforcement. The formation of the open structural gussets by the upper ends of the elongated bars 28, together with the girts 21 and legs [5, not only strengthens the structure, but also provides a positive reinforced connection between the sections. The ease of erection is greatly increased by the interchangeability of the parts in each section. Since these part are all alike, it is clear that time is not wasted in determining whether particular side of the structure. By reducing the number of parts, the erection is not only simplified, but the weight and the cost of manufacturing are greatly reduced. Further, with the structure shown, the number of bolt holes necessary in the legs I5 are reduced to a minimum, whereby the legs are not greatly weakened due to the removal of the area by drill.- ing said holes. Although I have shown and described a derrick having four supporting legs I5, it is to be understood that the structure is-not to be so limited as it would be possible to erect a three or five legged structure employing my improved bracing.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A derrick structure comprising, a base, a plurality of superimposed sections, each section including legs, girts connecting the midportion and also the upper ends of the legs of each section, and inclined brace members having their lower ends secured to the girt at the midportion of one section and extending upwardly past the upper girt of that section and secured at its upper end to the legs of the section thereabove, said members also being fastened to the upper girt of the lower section.

2. A derrick structure comprising, a base, a plurality of superimposed sections, each section including upright legs, a girt connecting and bracing the upper portion of each section, braces extending from each girt to the legs to reinforce the same, and a girt at the midportion of each section formed of a plurality of angular bars secured to each other at their ends in overlapping relation.

3. A derrick structure comprising, a base, a plurality of superimposed sections, each section including upright legs, a girt connecting and bracing the upper portion of each section, braces extending from each girt to the legs toreinforce the same, a girt at the midportion of each section formed of a plurality of angular bars secured to eachother at their ends in overlapping relation, and inclined brace bars connecting the central girt of one section with the legs of the next section thereabove, each bar being secured to the upper girt of the lower section.

4. A derrick structure comprising, a base, elongated leg members forming the corners of the structure, equally spaced girts connecting and bracing the legs, and inclined brace members extending upwardly from one girt beyond the next girt thereabove and secured to the legs above said.

girt and below the next above girt, each member also being fastened to the girt past which it extends.

5. A derrick structure comprising, a base, a.

plurality of superimposed sections, each section including supporting legs, a girt connecting the upper ends of the legs of each section, a second girt bracing and connecting the central portionof each section, web plates secured to the latter girt, inclined brace bars connecting the lower end of each web plate with the leg members, and elongated inclined brace members having their lower ends secured to the upper ends of the web plate extending upwardly beyond the girt at the upper end of that section and having their upper ends secured to the legs of the next section there-- above.

6. A derrick structure comprising, a base, a plurality of structural sections, means for securing the sections one above the other, each section includinga girt bracing its midportion, a second girt secured to the upper end of the legs of each section for connecting the same, and inclined elongated brace members connecting the central girt of one section with the legs of I the section next above and being secured to the girt at the upper end of the lower section, whereby the upper end of each member between its point of fastening to the leg and upper girt, to-

gether with a portion of the girt and a portion of the leg form an open structural gusset.

'7. A derrick structure comprising, a base, a plurality of superimposed sections, each section including upright legs, a girt connecting and bracing the upper portion of each section, braces extending from each girt to the legs to reinforce the same, a girt at the midportion of each section formed of a plurality of angular bars secured to each other at their ends in overlapping relation, inclined brace bars connecting the central girt of one section with the legs of the next section thereabove, each bar being secured to the upper girt of the lower section, and short angular bars secured to the legs and to the elongated members nearer their lower end, whereby a brace or reinforcing is provided between the girts of each section. a

8. A derrick structure including, a base, a plurality of superimposed sections, each section in cluding legs, girts connecting the midportion and n a o the upper ends of the legs of each section, and inclined brace'meinbers, each having its'lower end secured tdo'ne'oi the girts' and extending upwardly past the next 'abovegirt; the'upper end of the "member" being fastened to a leg of the section at a" point intermediate" the last named girt and the girt next thereabove;

95A derrick including, upright legs; horizontal girts Secured to said'legs at spacedelevations to form stages, and inclined bracing members extending from one stage to the next' stage and having their lower ends secured to thegirt of the lower stage and extending upwardly past the next above gi'rt being secured to this-last named girt', the extreme upper 'endof said memher being fastened to the leg ofthe superposed we! stage to form open structural gussets at the cornersof the superposed stagel-Oi'fiA derrick including, upright legs, horizontal girts secured to said legs at spaced elevations to form stages, inclined bracing members extendin}; from' one stage to-the next stage and having their lower ends secured to the girt of the lower stage and extending upwardly past the next above girtbeing' secured to this last named girt, the extreme upper end of said member being fastened to theleg of the superposed stage to formopen structural gussets at the corners of the superposed stage-and short inclined brace bars'conne'cting'the'bracing members with the legs intermediate the girts.

DEE E. HUMPHREY. 

